Seed inductor box for an agricultural implement having multiple air paths

ABSTRACT

A particulate material delivery system for an agricultural implement includes an inductor box configured to receive particulate material from a tank. The inductor box includes an inductor segment comprising a particulate material supply chamber configured to guide the particulate material toward a fluidization chamber, and an air supply chamber configured to receive airflow from an airflow supply. The inductor box is configured to direct the airflow from the air supply chamber to the particulate material supply chamber through a first airflow path and through a second airflow path remote from the first air path.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This patent application is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser.No. 15/678,598, entitled “SEED INDUCTOR BOX FOR AN AGRICULTURALIMPLEMENT HAVING MULTIPLE AIR PATHS”, filed Aug. 16, 2017, which is adivisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/049,958, entitled“SEED INDUCTOR BOX FOR AN AGRICULTURAL IMPLEMENT HAVING MULTIPLE AIRPATHS”, filed Feb. 22, 2016, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,750,177, which is adivisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/737,831, entitled“SEED INDUCTOR BOX FOR AN AGRICULTURAL IMPLEMENT HAVING MULTIPLE AIRPATHS”, filed Jan. 9, 2013, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,265,190. Each of theabove-referenced applications is herein incorporated by reference in itsentirety.

BACKGROUND

The invention relates generally to ground working equipment, such asagricultural equipment, and more specifically, to an inductor box for apneumatic distribution system of an agricultural implement.

Generally, planting implements (e.g., planters) are towed behind atractor or other work vehicle via a mounting bracket secured to a rigidframe of the implement. These planting implements typically includemultiple row units distributed across the width of the implement. Eachrow unit is configured to deposit seeds at a desired depth beneath thesoil surface, thereby establishing rows of planted seeds. For example,each row unit may include a ground engaging tool or opener (e.g., anopener disc) that forms a seeding path for seed deposition into thesoil. In certain configurations, a gauge wheel is positioned a verticaldistance above the opener to establish a desired trench depth for seeddeposition into the soil. As the implement travels across a field, theopener excavates a trench into the soil, and seeds are deposited intothe trench. In certain row units, the opener is followed by a packerwheel that packs the soil on top of the deposited seeds.

Certain planting implements include a remote seed tank, and a pneumaticdistribution system configured to convey seeds from the tank to each rowunit. For example, the pneumatic distribution system may include aninductor box positioned beneath the seed tank. The inductor box isconfigured to receive seeds from the tank, to fluidize the seeds into anair/seed mixture, and to distribute the air/seed mixture to the rowunits via a network of pneumatic hoses/conduits. Each row unit, in turn,receives the seeds from the pneumatic hoses/conduits, and directs theseeds to a metering system. The metering system is configured to providea flow of seeds to a seed tube for deposition into the soil. Byoperating the metering system at a particular speed, a desired seedspacing may be established as the implement traverses a field.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION

In one embodiment, a particulate material delivery system for anagricultural implement including, an inductor box configured to receiveparticulate material from a tank, the inductor box including, aninductor segment comprising a particulate material supply chamberconfigured to guide the particulate material toward a fluidizationchamber, and an air supply chamber configured to receive airflow from anairflow supply, wherein the inductor box is configured to direct theairflow from the air supply chamber to the particulate material supplychamber through a first airflow path and through a second airflow pathremote from the first air path

In another embodiment, a particulate material delivery system for anagricultural implement including, an inductor box configured to receiveparticulate material, the inductor box including a housing, and aninductor segment disposed within the housing and comprising aparticulate material supply chamber, the particulate material supplychamber configured to convey the particulate material with an airflowfrom a first airflow path and from a second airflow path, wherein thefirst and second airflow paths are remote from one another.

In a further embodiment, a particulate material delivery system for anagricultural implement including, an inductor segment comprising aparticulate material supply chamber configured to receive and direct aparticulate material from a particulate material tank, an upper airflowpath configured to direct airflow from an airflow supply through a firstscreen from the air supply chamber, and into the particulate materialsupply chamber; and a lower airflow path configured to direct theairflow from the airflow supply through a second screen, and into theparticulate material supply chamber.

DRAWINGS

These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the presentinvention will become better understood when the following detaileddescription is read with reference to the accompanying drawings in whichlike characters represent like parts throughout the drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of an agriculturalimplement configured to deposit particulate material into a soilsurface;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a particulate materialtank coupled to an inductor box;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an embodiment of an inductor box; and

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional side view of an embodiment of an inductorbox.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

One or more specific embodiments of the present invention will bedescribed below. In an effort to provide a concise description of theseembodiments, all features of an actual implementation may not bedescribed in the specification. It should be appreciated that in thedevelopment of any such actual implementation, as in any engineering ordesign project, numerous implementation-specific decisions must be madeto achieve the developers' specific goals, such as compliance withsystem-related and business-related constraints, which may vary from oneimplementation to another. Moreover, it should be appreciated that sucha development effort might be complex and time consuming, but wouldnevertheless be a routine undertaking of design, fabrication, andmanufacture for those of ordinary skill having the benefit of thisdisclosure.

When introducing elements of various embodiments of the presentinvention, the articles “a,” “an,” “the,” and “said” are intended tomean that there are one or more of the elements. The terms “comprising,”“including,” and “having” are intended to be inclusive and mean thatthere may be additional elements other than the listed elements.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of an agriculturalimplement 10 configured to deposit particulate material into a soilsurface. In the illustrated embodiment, the implement 10 is configuredto be towed along a direction of travel 12 by a work vehicle, such as atractor or other prime mover. The work vehicle may be coupled to theimplement 10 by a hitch assembly 14. As illustrated, the hitch assembly14 is coupled to a main frame assembly 16 of the implement 10 tofacilitate towing of the implement 10 in the direction of travel 12. Inthe illustrated embodiment, the frame assembly 16 is coupled to a toolbar 18 that supports multiple row units 20. Each row unit 20 isconfigured to deposit particulate material (e.g., seeds) at a desireddepth beneath the soil surface, thereby establishing rows of plantedseeds. The implement 10 also includes particulate material tanks 22, anda pneumatic distribution system 24 configured to convey particulatematerial from the tanks to the row units 20. In certain embodiments, thepneumatic distribution system includes an inductor box positionedbeneath each particulate material tank 22. Each inductor box isconfigured to receive particulate material from a respective tank, tofluidize the particulate material into an air-particulate materialmixture, and to distribute the air-particulate material mixture to therow units 20 via a network of pneumatic hoses/conduits (i.e., thepneumatic distribution system 24).

In certain embodiments, each row unit 20 includes a residue manager, anopening assembly, a particulate material tube, closing discs, and apress wheel. The residue manager includes a rotating wheel havingmultiple tillage points or fingers that break up crop residue, therebypreparing the soil for particulate material deposition. The openingassembly includes a gauge wheel and an opener disc. The gauge wheel maybe positioned a vertical distance above the opener disc to establish adesired trench depth for particulate material deposition into the soil.As the row unit travels across a field, the opener disc excavates atrench into the soil for particulate material deposition. Theparticulate material tube, which may be positioned behind the openingassembly, directs a particulate material from a metering system into theexcavated trench. The closing discs then direct the excavated soil intothe trench to cover the planted particulate material. Finally, the presswheel packs the soil on top of the particulate material with a desiredpressure.

While the illustrated implement 10 includes 24 row units 20, it shouldbe appreciated that alternative implements may include more or fewer rowunits 20. For example, certain implements 10 may include 6, 8, 12, 16,24, 32, or 36 row units, or more. In addition, the spacing between rowunits may be particularly selected based on the type of crop beingplanting. For example, the row units may be spaced 30 inches from oneanother for planting corn, and 15 inches from one another for plantingsoy beans.

As mentioned above, the pneumatic distribution system 24 includes aninductor box configured to receive particulate material (e.g., seeds)from a respective tank. Depending on the desired application, thepneumatic distribution system may distribute a wide variety of seeds(e.g., light seeds, heavy seeds, large seeds, small seeds, etc). Theinductor box fluidizes the particulate material from a tank 22 into anair-particulate material mixture, for distribution to the row units 20through a network of pneumatic hoses/conduits. More specifically, theinductor box includes multiple air pathways for directing airflowthrough the inductor box. As discussed in detail below the multiple airpathways enable the inductor box to fluidize light particulate material,to reduce updrafts, and to reduce backflow. As a result, the multiplepathways reduce maintenance costs/duration, increase reliability, andimprove fluidization of different particulate material.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a particulate materialtank 22 coupled to an inductor box 40. The particulate material tank 22includes an opening 38 for receiving particulate material (e.g., seeds,etc.) for storage in the tank. The tank 22 secures the particulatematerial inside using a lid 42 that selectively covers the opening 38.The lid 42 securely attaches to the tank 22 with multiple fasteners 44.On the opposite side of the tank 22 from the lid is the inductor box 40.The inductor box 40 attaches to the bottom of tank 22 and receivesgravity fed particulate material for fluidization. The inductor box 40includes a housing 46 that is coupled to the tank 22 with bolts 48.Moreover, the inductor box 40 includes an air supply port 50, andmultiple inductor segments 52. It is through the air supply port 50 thatthe inductor box 40 receives airflow from an air supply (e.g., a fan, ablower, etc.). The airflow from the air supply enables the inductor box40 to fluidize the particulate material and to pressurize the tank 22.In some embodiments, the multiple inductor segments may not besurrounded by a housing 46. Instead, the multiple inductor segments 52may be coupled together and to the tank 22. Furthermore, each of theinductor segments 52 may separately couple to an airflow supply or to anairflow supply manifold, instead of receiving airflow from an airflowsupply chamber coupled to the air supply port 50. The tank 22 may bemade of a flexible material that expands when pressurized with airflowfrom the air supply. As will be explained in greater detail below, theinductor box 40 directs airflow from the air supply through a series ofair pathways to the inductor segments 52, and into the tank 22. Theinductor segments 52 fluidize the particulate material with the airflowfor delivery to the row units 20.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an embodiment of an inductor box 40. Asillustrated, the inductor box 40 includes multiple inductor segments 52disposed within a chamber 60 formed by the inductor box housing 46. Inthe illustrated embodiment, there are eight inductor segments 52.However, other embodiments may include a different number of inductorsegments 52 (e.g., 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, or more). As mentionedabove, the particulate material enters the inductor segments 52 from thetank where the particulate material is fluidized (i.e., mixed with air).Once the particulate material is fluidized, the air-particulate materialmixture exits the inductor box 40 through particulate material deliveryports 62 in the inductor segments 52. The inductor box 40 includes afirst screen 64 that is coupled to the inductor segments 52 and thehousing 46. As will be explained in more detail below, the first screen64 is disposed within an upper airflow path that facilitates lightparticulate material fluidization, reduces updrafts, and reducesbackflow.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional side view of an embodiment of an inductorbox 40 coupled to the tank 22. As illustrated, the inductor box 40 iscoupled to the tank 22 with bolts 48. The inductor box 40 surrounds aparticulate material outlet(s) 66 of the tank 22, thereby enablingparticulate material to exit the tank 22 and enter the inductor box 40.More specifically, as the particulate material exits the tank 22, indirection 68, the particulate material enters the inductor segment(s)52. As explained above, the inductor box 40 includes an inductor segment52 disposed within the inductor box chamber 60. The top of the inductorsegment 52 includes two surfaces 70 and 72. The surfaces 70 and 72 maybe angled to facilitate flow of particulate material into the inductorsegment 52. As particulate material travels through the inductor segment52, the particulate material passes through a series of chambers beforeexiting through the particulate material delivery port 62. The chambersin the inductor segment 52 include a particulate material supply chamber74, a fluidization chamber 76, and a particulate material deliverychamber 78. The angled surfaces 70 and 72 channel the particulatematerial from the tank 22 into the particulate material supply chamber74 through a particulate material supply chamber inlet 80. Theparticulate material supply chamber 74 guides the particulate materialfrom the particulate material supply chamber inlet 80 to the particulatematerial supply chamber outlet 86 via a first wall 82 and a second wall84. As illustrated, the walls 82 and 84 may include respective verticalportions 88 and 90, as well as respective angled portions 92 and 94. Asthe particulate material flows through the particulate material supplychamber 74, the angled portions 92 and 94 of the walls 82 and 84 directthe particulate material toward the particulate material supply chamberoutlet 86 at a base 96 of the inductor box 40. Airflow from the airsupply then conveys the particulate material through the particulatematerial supply chamber outlet 86 and into the fluidization chamber 76.The fluidization chamber 76 includes a first wall 98 and shares thesecond wall 84 of the particulate material supply chamber 74. If the airflow through the fluidization chamber is sufficient, the particulatematerial will fluidize and a vortex flow is created due to the geometryof the fluidization chamber 76. The vortex 100 separates and mixes theparticulate material with the airflow before the particulate materialflows to the particulate material delivery chamber 78. If the air flowthrough the fluidization chamber is sufficient the particulate materialis conveyed out of the fluidization chamber 76 and into the particulatematerial delivery chamber 78. In the particulate material deliverychamber 78, airflow from the fluidization chamber combines with airflowfrom a bypass channel 102 to convey the particulate material out of theparticulate material delivery chamber 78, through the particulatematerial delivery port 62, and to the row units 20.

As explained above, the inductor box 40 includes the air supply port 50for receiving airflow from an air supply that pressurizes the tank 22and conveys particulate material through the inductor segment 52. Theairflow from the air supply passes through the air supply port 50 andenters an air supply chamber 104. The air supply chamber 104 extendsthrough the inductor box 40 in a generally perpendicular direction tothe flow path through the inductor segments 52, thereby supplying eachinductor segment 52 with the airflow.

The air supply chamber 104 divides the airflow from the air supply intofour airflow paths numbered 106, 108, 110, and 112. The first airflowpath 106 passes through the first screen 64 and enters the particulatematerial supply chamber 74. As illustrated, the first screen 64 enablesairflow to exit the air supply chamber 104, while simultaneouslyblocking particulate material from entering the air supply chamber 104,thus reducing maintenance costs and/or the duration of maintenanceoperations. As the airflow through the first airflow path 106 enters theparticulate material supply chamber 74, the airflow engages theparticulate material and urges the particulate material in direction 68.For example, when using light particulate material (e.g., sunflowerseeds, sweet corn seeds), the airflow through airflow path 106 reducesblockage of the particulate material supply chamber 74 by providingadditional force (in addition to gravity) to move the particulatematerial through the particulate material supply chamber 74. While theairflow through the first airflow path 106 facilitates urging theparticulate material in the direction 68 through the particulatematerial supply chamber 74, the airflow through the second airflow path108 conveys the particulate material out of the particulate materialsupply chamber 74 and into the fluidization chamber 76. The airflowthrough the second airflow path 108 flows through a second screen 114.The second screen 114 is coupled to the first wall 82 and the base 96 ofthe inductor box 40. The second screen 114, like the first screen 64,blocks the particulate material from entering the air supply chamber104. Thus, the first screen 64 and the second screen 114 reducemaintenance costs/duration by blocking particulate material flow intothe air supply chamber 104.

A third airflow path 110 flows through the first screen 64 and into thetank 22. The airflow in the third airflow path 110 pressurizes andexpands the tank 22. However, in some embodiments, the lid 42 may notcreate a fluid tight seal with the tank 22. Accordingly, airflow in thethird airflow path 110 may provide continuous airflow into the tank 22to replace pressurized air lost through leaks in the lid 42. As aresult, airflow from the first airflow path 106 is able to flow throughthe particulate material supply chamber 74, and the airflow in thesecond airflow path 108 is able to convey the particulate material intothe fluidization chamber 76. In other words, the airflow in the thirdairflow path 110 pressurizes the tank 22, thus equalizing pressurewithin the system. As a result, backdrafts (i.e., airflow) from thesecond airflow path 108 into the tank 22 are substantially reduced oreliminated in direction 115. Moreover, the airflow through the thirdairflow path reduces or eliminates backflowing airflow through theinductor segment 52 when the air supply shuts down. As explained above,the airflow through the third airflow path 110 pressurizes and expandsthe tank 22. When the air supply shuts down the pressurized air from thetank 22 travels through the path of least resistance to escape the tank22. In the present embodiment, airflow venting from the tank 22 passesthrough the first screen 64 and into the air supply chamber 104. As aresult, the possibility of pressurized air in the tank 22 backflowingthrough the inductor segment 52 with particulate material, issubstantially reduced in three ways. First, airflow through the firstscreen 64 may reduce or eliminate pressurized airflow from escapingthrough the second screen 114 and into the air supply chamber 104.Second, airflow through the first screen 64 may reduce or eliminatepressurized airflow carrying particulate material from passing throughthe particulate material supply chamber 74, the fluidization chamber 76,and the particulate material delivery chamber 78, before escapingthrough the air bypass channel 102 into the air supply chamber 104.Third, airflow through the first screen 64 may reduce or eliminatepressurized air from passing through the inductor segment 52 and exitingthrough the particulate material delivery port 62. Accordingly, thethird airflow path 110 enables pressurized air to escape the tank 22,thus substantially reducing or eliminating fluidized particulatematerial from flowing through the inductor segment(s) 52.

The airflow in the fourth airflow path 112 flows from the air supplychamber 104 through the air bypass channel 102 and into the particulatematerial delivery chamber 78. The air bypass channel 102 is disposedwithin the particulate material supply chamber 74 and extends betweenthe first particulate material supply chamber wall 82 and the secondparticulate material supply chamber wall 84. The walls 82 and 84 includerespective apertures 116 and 118 that enable the airflow of the fourthairflow path 112 to pass through the air bypass channel 102. The airbypass channel 102 is oriented in a generally crosswise direction to theparticulate material supply chamber inlet 80 and in a generally paralleldirection to the particulate material supply chamber outlet 86.Moreover, the air bypass channel 102 is positioned above thefluidization chamber 76, thereby enabling the airflow from the fourthairflow path 112 to urge the particulate material exiting thefluidization chamber 76 into the particulate material delivery port 62for delivery to the row units 20.

While only certain features of the invention have been illustrated anddescribed herein, many modifications and changes will occur to thoseskilled in the art. It is, therefore, to be understood that the appendedclaims are intended to cover all such modifications and changes as fallwithin the true spirit of the invention.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A particulate material delivery system foran agricultural implement comprising: an inductor segment including ahousing comprising a particulate material supply chamber configured toreceive a particulate material from a particulate material tank; anupper airflow path configured to direct an airflow from an airflowsupply into the particulate material supply chamber; a first screenpositioned in an upper portion of the housing, wherein air moves throughthe first screen and particulate material moves over the first screen; alower airflow path configured to direct the airflow from the airflowsupply into the particulate material supply chamber; a second screenpositioned in a lower portion of the housing, wherein air moves throughthe second screen and particulate material moves over the second screen;and a tank airflow path configured to direct the airflow from theairflow supply to the particulate material tank, and wherein the housingof the inductor segment comprises at least one inlet and an outlet, theat least one inlet configured to receive the particulate material fromthe particulate material tank, the outlet configured to expel theparticulate material.
 2. The particulate material delivery system ofclaim 1, wherein the at least one inlet and the outlet of theparticulate material supply chamber are substantially perpendicular toone another.
 3. The particulate material delivery system of claim 1,wherein the upper airflow path is non-parallel and non-perpendicular tothe inlet of the particulate material supply chamber.
 4. The particulatematerial delivery system of claim 1, wherein the lower airflow path issubstantially parallel to the outlet of the particulate material supplychamber.
 5. The particulate material delivery system of claim 1, whereinthe upper airflow path and the lower airflow path are remote from oneanother.
 6. The particulate material delivery system of claim 1, whereinthe inductor segment comprises a fluidization chamber configured toreceive the particulate material from the particulate material supplychamber.
 7. The particulate material delivery system of claim 1, whereinat least a portion of the upper airflow path comprises a first airflowand a third airflow, both of which pass through the first screen, andwherein at least a portion of the lower air flow path comprises a secondairflow and a fourth airflow, the second airflow passing through thesecond screen and the fourth airflow passing through an air bypasschannel and into the particulate material delivery chamber.